Why should you replace your old deadbolt and get a new door knob or door knob lock combination? The answer to this question will largely depend upon the circumstances surrounding the change of door locks. If it is just because you want a different look for your door and you are not sure whether it would be practical to change the hardware, then go ahead and change it. However, if it is because you feel that the present deadbolt and knob are not enough to protect you and your family from intruders, then think again and perhaps go for a stronger and tougher lock. In fact, these days there are several very good locks which can provide the necessary security for your home and for your belongings.
Mortise locks are some of the most common exterior door locks used nowadays. The interior part has openings for the mortise screw which can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise depending on what you like. Inside, the steel door also has small holes for the mortise screw to fit into and since the old deadbolt is already in place, it would make sense to cover these small openings with something that can withstand the pressure that such an operation will give out. In fact, a modern locking system that uses biometric fingerprint technology is already available. This means that you do not even have to punch in a key or turn a key in and if you do, then you can simply take out the key and the lock will be opened for you can use the fingerprint lock system to bypass the opening.
Other door knob locks are more complicated and may involve a combination of cutting a hole in the exterior, inserting a bolt through the hole in the exterior, and then locking the bolt with a latch in place. However, this kind of lock needs to be manually closed before the locking mechanism can work properly and it is possible that you may accidentally push the door knob all the way open. More modern locks use a double cylinder type which has a spring within the cylinder. The spring tightens as soon as pressure is exerted on the door knob so that it is only closed when you have squeezed the cylinder completely and it is therefore very safe to operate without the key.
